The resort’s other triple-blacks are located at the uppermost Headwaters area, and they are perilously difficult to reach. Those who opt not to get the Lone Peak Tram add-on will miss the resort’s toughest lift-serviced lines, highest skiable elevation, and most astounding views. For 2021-22, Big Sky has removed Lone Peak Tram access from base ticket and pass products, including partner passes such as Ikon and Mountain Collective, and is requiring an extra-purchase add-on sold in daily increments. The only direct triple-black lift service comes from the Lone Peak Tram, which only carries 15 people per tram car and has historically generated lines of up to a few hours long.
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The resort conveniently offers a beacon training area for those wishing to learn how to properly use this equipment.ĭon’t expect easy access to any of Big Sky’s triple-black runs. Be sure to invest in some avalanche gear if you plan on doing these runs. The three aforementioned areas are limited access and require signing in and out with a patroller to ski-if you’re caught breaking the rules on either of these, you’ll be banned from the resort for life. As a result, Big Sky highly recommends bringing an avalanche beacon and shovel on all of these runs and requires doing so on the Big Couloir, North Summit Snowfields, and Upper A-Z Chutes. This terrain is extremely dangerous or prone to avalanches and can seriously injure you-or worse-with one wrong move. These runs can become quite steep and formidably narrow at times, and if you take the wrong path (or right one, if you so choose), you’ll be going over cliffs or rocks to get to the bottom.įor 2019-20, Big Sky introduced the triple-black diamond rating for its most formidable runs.
The snow fields off Lone Mountain are unlike any other in the country making your way to these will get you extremely demanding terrain sandwiched between lines of exposed rock. The resort also boasts a range of small-to-large freestyle features over 7 terrain parks, including one-the Cache-consisting entirely of natural features.īut where Big Sky really stands out is in its extreme terrain. For relatively advanced skiers, there’s a lot to like too-steep, ungroomed terrain abounds here. Intermediate options are plentiful as well, with a mix of varied groomers, glades, and bowl runs. While there are no green trails going from Madison Base to the Mountain Village, most beginners should be able to handle the blue Fast Lane connector trail. Multiple mountain areas-including some fairly high-elevation ones-offer beginner terrain, a rarity among large Western ski resorts. The resort offers a lot to like for skiers of all ability levels. The resort employs early season snowmaking to ensure a resilient base layer of snow.īig Sky’s terrain diversity is also hard to top. The resort sees some of the best North American ski resort accumulation in an average season and holds its snow well thanks to consistently cold temperatures. The mountain offers abundant terrain for skiers of all ability levels, but increased crowds in recent years have stressed the mountain’s infrastructure.īig Sky’s snow is hard to beat.
Just off Yellowstone National Park in the heart of Montana’s Rockies, Big Sky boasts more than 5800 acres in one of the most remote locations of any North American resort.